US Federal Judge Provides Relief To Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg Won't Be Liable In Lawsuits Over Social Media Harm To Children

The ruling found that while Zuckerberg holds control over Meta’s activities, the plaintiffs lacked specific evidence of his personal involvement in any alleged misconduct.

A recent decision by a federal judge has shielded Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg from personal liability in 25 lawsuits alleging that Meta’s platforms, Facebook and Instagram, contribute to addiction and mental health issues among children. US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, based in Oakland, California, dismissed allegations that Zuckerberg had directly driven or coordinated attempts to obscure potential mental health risks for young users.

Relief For The Tech Titan

The ruling, handed down on Thursday, found that while Zuckerberg holds control over Meta’s activities, the plaintiffs lacked specific evidence of his personal involvement in any alleged misconduct. Judge Rogers emphasised that “control of corporate activity alone is insufficient” to hold him liable, though the decision does not impact the related claims still pending against Meta itself.

The plaintiffs, represented by Previn Warren of Motley Rice, filed claims across 13 US states, including major states like New York, Texas, and Ohio, and have vowed to keep gathering evidence. Warren noted that his clients are determined to bring transparency to how Big Tech companies like Meta may have put profit over the well-being of young users. These lawsuits join hundreds of other legal actions by families, children, and school districts against social media companies including Google, ByteDance (TikTok’s parent company), and Snap, accusing them of fostering social media dependency.

Moreover, dozens of state attorneys general have filed parallel cases against Meta, citing connections between social media usage and rising concerns over mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, and adverse impacts on education and daily life. The mounting legal pressure on social media giants reflects growing public concern over the impact of these platforms on youth mental health, especially as more evidence highlights potential links between online activity and real-world challenges for young users.